Boy calls for McDonald's boycott (re trade dispute)

[Minstrel Boy]

Boy calls for McDonald's boycott
SOFTWOOD-LUMBER PROTEST: Unions back 10-year-old's plans to pressure U.S. gov't

Matthew Ramsey
The Province
Sunday, November 13, 2005

For 10-year-old Luke McAndress, Canada's ongoing softwood-lumber dispute boils down to a truth as unadorned as a french fry.

"If we stole $5 billion from the U.S., they would want it back," he says.

By $5 billion, he's referring to duties collected by the U.S. on Canadian softwood imports since May 2002 -- and he wants it returned to Canada so badly that he's organizing a nation-wide boycott of one of America's most visible exports: McDonald's.

It's McAndress's hope that the Dec. 3 boycott will pressure the U.S. to return $5 billion in duties that a NAFTA panel has already ruled were unfairly collected and should be repaid.

...

http://www.canada.com/vancouver/story.html?id=b0c4f264-5135-4580-9c34-92052a6c7a61

[Fridays Child]

1. I don't know about you but I'd take that kid seriously.

He looks like he means what he says.

www.wewantourmoneyback.ca

[CHIMO]

2. Yo Yo Yo, give us our dough

Yo Yo Yo, give us our dough
No Mc-D on December 3!

http://www.wewantourmoneyback.ca/

[99Pancakes]

3. Good Idea!

[iverglas]

4. I'm in!

Mind you, I've boycotted McDonald's on so many grounds it can be put down to "general principles" since about 1971 ... but I'll add this one. ;)

I gather that McDonald's political contributions are 86% Republican, so the target isn't really random.

This might have legs in Western Canada in particular, where thousands of people have been thrown out of work by the US's illegal actions.

Let's hope.

[iverglas]

5. interesting side note

One of the unions that has endorsed this campaign is the BC Carpenters Union, which has been locked in battle with "the International", the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, over its attempt to rule the BC membership as a colony of empire.

http://www.bccarpentersunion.com/view.php?id=140

http://www.bccarpentersunion.com/view.php?id=139

Top Four Reasons to be Canadian

The key reasons for seeking independence from the American union are:

* The right to conduct elections and other votes based on democratic principles established by our membership.

* The right to join an autonomous Canadian union that sets policies, which reflect our members' interests rather than having American interests imposed from the top. (For example, the UBCJA was the founding petitioner of the US Softwood Lumber tariffs against BC's forest industry.)

* Put an end to American interference in collective bargaining with our British Columbia employers.

* Distance ourselves from an international union that is dictatorial and lacking in fundamental trade union principles.

Yeesh, talk about yer conflict of interest.

[kevinbgoode]

6. It really is outrageous that we refuse to abide by the

panel's decision. . .especially when that amount of money holds such an impact on the local economy. It must make our government appear to be almost ...well...extortionists . . .and I cannot believe that our Administration takes this situation so lightly, especially concerning one of our longtime friends and allies.

[nosmokes]

7. i dunno - i hear tell they parleevoo that french up yonder...

think we can trust 'em? huzzahs to that kid! and a grreat big colbert finger wag to the US. and thanks for the links re: the capenter's union.

[OneBlueSky]

8. I love it when young people take a stand and instigate . . .

political action! . . . kudos to Luke for being aware, involved, and proactive . . . wish there were more kids like him, particulatly in this country . . .

p.s. . . he looks like he's not gonna take any shit from anyone, too . . . :)

[anitar1]

9. Maybe Canada should sel their wood to other countries,

or are they bound to sell to US? Surely we don't need the wood , as Shrub is dedicated to cutting every tree in sight.Canada could probably make more money selling to Europe.

[emlev]

10. I just blogged on this topic

inspired by this very thread. Thanks for the info.

My new blog deals with how people can get involved in social change. I welcome any constructive feedback. (Also, if someone can teach me how to do the HTML code to make my links live, I'd really appreciate it!)

http://www.writingup.com/juice_for_justice

[bitchkitty]

14. link code

<a href="http://www.whatever.com">Link Text</a>

[emlev]

16. Thanks. I'll try again. n/t

[emlev]

18. Peachy. Now my links are lives. Thanks again. n/t

[EFerrari]

11. I wouldn't mess with him!

Go, Luke!

[4dsc]

12. Like Walmart, I don't do McDonalds

Its simple.. I hate so called fast food places and always bring my lunch to work. I cannot remember the last time I was in a Mcd's..

[Domitan]

13. Ah-fuckin-men!

Let this be spread to every major media outlet in Canada for all to see!

[malaise]

15. McDs is closing down

in Jamaica. People just avoided them and they had no choice but to pull out.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/business/html/20051009t060000-0500_90057_obs_mcdonald_s_regional_hq_confirms_big_mac_s_pull_out.asp

[Domitan]

22. Excellent!

Though much harder to convince the politically apathetic families here to do the same. Need to take a firm stand against their laziness and their lil tykes' incessant demands for Big Macs.

[Initech]

17. I'm behind this idea 100%!

Although I've been my own boycott of McDonalds over the last several years, it has nothing to do with this, I just cant stand their "food".

[Norwood]

19. I havent eaten McDonalds for over 2 years so count me in

The food is disgusting anyway.

[Megahurtz]

20. Don't worry Dude.

I don't like McDonald's either!:+

[Chicago Democrat]

21. Eat shit surrender monkies we don't follow no International Law

(sarcasm)